Meditations

By Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius

Description

Meditations is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor 161–180 CE, setting forth his ideas on Stoic philosophy.

Reviews

Positive reflections

4

By zamar blvd.

His meditations give intimate descriptions of the common theories of life,-religious outlook- yet still offer usefulness for reflection and ultimately, application. (Moral philosophy)

Life as is supposed to be lived

5

By SharkAttackz

A must read for everyone. Knowledge that holds true today; classic.

Diamonds in the Rough

4

By Schoolbreeze

If you can bear the archaic language, you will enjoy this book. The best part is the appendix.

Victorian translation.

2

By Alberic6

Victorian translation. Accurate, but sounds a bit stilted to a modern ear.

Demonstrating the need for a modern translation

2

By chriswjohnson

It is a fine service that this translation has been made freely available.
For myself, however, I find it an unsatisfactory translation, because the translator insists on using antique phrasings in the style of the King James Bible. Perhaps this was an effort to dignify and honor Aurelius' work, but Aurelius' thoughts need no such assistance, and are harmed by the artificial patina of age applied here, and the air of pontification it creates. Instead, his thoughts require only the clearest possible translation into modern English. That done, they speak for themselves and unpretentiously make their own dignity.
Unwittingly, in my view, this translation deprives Aurelius' thoughts of their natural dignity, forthrightness, and ability to speak directly to the reader across the millennia, by inserting the barrier of a pulpit between Aurelius and his reader.